Children's home run by Evoke Care Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 1 Registered provider: Evoke Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023. The manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegation were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Inspection date: 7 December 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 2 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded appropriately to the serious safeguarding allegation. They have taken action in a timely way to ensure that children are safe in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding of children’s social, emotional and health needs. Children’s care plans are specific to the needs of each child. These are regularly updated to reflect risk and children’s progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views are sought and listened to. Regular house meetings provide children with the opportunity to talk about what it is like living together and to share their views about the running of the home, to discuss upcoming activities and to plan their weekly food choices. Additionally, when new children move into their home, the children are told, and their views are sought regarding the arrangements.

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Findings from the inspection

Key-work sessions take place to offer support to children following incidents or to support with needs identified in the children’s care plans. Key-work sessions are appropriate and relevant to the risks and behaviours identified.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have developed positive relationships with staff members. One child said that her favourite staff member reads to her at night, which helps her to sleep.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to attend education. Staff accompany one child to and from school, helping them to travel safely. This has ensured that the child has good attendance at school.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is of a satisfactory standard. However, the decor in some areas needs some care and attention and some furniture needs replacing.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are alert to safeguarding risks. They have undertaken relevant training and demonstrate a good understanding of whistle-blowing policies and procedures. Managers and staff liaise promptly with the appropriate agencies in response to issues of concern.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers complete suitability assessments before children move into the home. These are of sufficient quality and assess known risks in relation to each child living at the home. Risk assessments are updated and comprehensive. In response to serious incidents, appropriate support and strategies are put in place to mitigate further risk.

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Findings from the inspection

Staffing levels are appropriate and safer recruitment is in place. One child said that they feel safe and are happy living at their home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 4 Staff say that they feel supported by the management team. Staff receive regular supervision and say they feel able to approach managers outside formal supervision for ad hoc support and advice.

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Findings from the inspection

The contribution of an external clinical psychologist during team meetings enhances the team’s knowledge of children’s behaviours and offers staff a reflective space to discuss and learn from any incidents of concern.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager and responsible individual are keen to develop a learning culture for their home and share a vision for continued improvement. However, the independent person’s reports are sporadic and have recently lacked sufficient detail to comply with regulation. As a result of this inspection, one requirement and one recommendation have been made.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 1 January 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are able to experience a home that is homely. This is in relation to repairs still needed and to replacement of Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 6 furniture and maintenance of decor in some areas of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ

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Inspectors

Amanda Burrows, Social Care Inspector Leanne Grant, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2626961 8 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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